Spiritual Bondage and Freedom, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
The Text opened: The Doctrine inferred thence. The firſt Branch of it handled.
FOR the making of our paſſage clear to this Text, we muſt look back a little upon the foregoing Verſes; where we ſhall ſee that Chriſt is a preaching to the people, and what the ſucceſs of his preaching was. In his preaching, amongſt other things, I would deſire you ſpecially to take notice of Two things that he delivers concerning himſelf; which I mention, becauſe I would by no means have you to let them paſs, becauſe they are of great moment to your Souls. One is that in ver. 12. a very precious place; Chriſt was ſent to give light to the World, i. e. to bring them out of that darkneſs which they are in by nature. 'Tis juſt as if a man ſtood in ſome diſmal dark place, where he can ſee nothing, knows not where he is, nor whither to go, and one comes to him with a light, and if he does but follow it, it brings him into the open view of things: So Chriſt, thoſe that follow him, he leads them into the light of life, into the light of ſpiritual life, that he ſhall ſee ſpiritual things, which no man doth, or can, that does not follow Chriſt; and into the light of Eternal life, where, at laſt, he ſhall ſee, and be with God for ever. So that all that live without Chriſt, they live without light; they are dark men and women in their Souls. Another thing that Chriſt preaches to them, is in ver. 24. (the Lord open your hearts in the reading of it) I ſaid therefore unto you, that ye ſhall die in your ſins. Dying in ones ſins is the ſaddeſt death that a man can die: that perſon dies to die. As the children of God die to live, ſo theſe, they die to die again. When they die the natural death, they die the Eternal death; they die to be damned, to be ſeparated for ever from the Lord, as thoſe that he will never have any thing to do with more, but in a way of tormenting them for their living and dying in their ſins. And theſe of all that die out of the World, are the perſons whoſe death is to be moſt lamented. If God takes away any of your Relations, or Friends, or Neighbours, if you have but good hopes that they died in Chriſt, 'tis comfortable; but this ſame dying in ſin, Oh! that's the terrible, that's the lamentable death: as you ſay of ſome perſons ſometimes that died in ſome horrible way, Oh! ſuch an one he came to a ſad end; ſo do all that die in their ſins. A ſad end, the Lord knows. One were better never to have been born, than to die ſuch a death. But I pray mark here, what is it that will bring people to ſuch a death? Why, ſays Chriſt, If ye believe not that I am he, ye ſhall die in your ſins. If ye abide Unbelievers, if you don't come to me, own me, give up your ſelves to me, as ſure as can be, ſaith he, this will be your caſe, ye ſhall dye in your ſins. There be ſome that die to their ſins; that's a good death; and all Gods Children dye ſo. There be ſome that die in their ſins; that's a ſad death, as you have heard, and all Reprobate Sinners die ſo. There be ſome that die for their ſins eternally, and ſuch are all they that die in them; and the way to die in them, and for them, is to live in them.
Theſe, and ſuch kind of things Chriſt is here preaching. I have but named that which I conceive to be moſt needful for you. Well, now what's the ſucceſs of Chriſts preaching to his Hearers? Why, you may obſerve it was this; That of thoſe that heard him, ſome were complying, and ſome were cavilling. The Lord grant that all of you may be of the firſt ſort, and none of the ſecond. Some were complying Hearers. This kind of Doctrine took upon their Souls, v. 30. As he ſpake theſe words, many believed on him. Oh that there might be ſuch a preſence and power of God in our Aſſembly here, that as we are ſpeaking, you might be believing, applying, taking home the Truths of the Goſpel, ſo as to be converted to Chriſt. Now theſe kind of Hearers Chriſt encourages, and bids them go on as they had begun, and they ſhould have a Threefold Priviledg. The firſt of them is in v. 31. They ſhould be Diſciples indeed, not in name, and in ſhew only, but in reality: q. d. I'le own you for ſincere ones, ſuch as Nathanael was, concerning whom Chriſt ſaid, John 1 48. Behold an Iſraelite indeed, in whom there is no guile. You have ſome that do offer towards Chriſt, begin as if they would follow his Rules and Doctrine; but they don't continue in his Word; and ſo ſhew that they are not Diſciples indeed, none of the right kind of Profeſſors.
The other Two Priviledges which Chriſt ſaith theſe ſhall have, are in v. 32. 1. Ye ſhall know the Truth; i. e. have experimental knowledg of the Truths of God. God and Chriſt would reveal themſelves further and further to them in the matters and myſteries of ſalvation: He promiſes inward and ſound illumination to them, that they ſhould have another manner of knowledg of ſpiritual things than they have who have nothing but what ſwims in the brain. 2. That the Truth which they ſhould have an underſtanding of, ſhould make them free; not like thoſe that abide in ſlavery and bondage; but they ſhould have a ſtate of Freedom.
Now amongſt theſe Hearers, ſome, as I ſaid, were cavilling Hearers. And this is the ſad ſucceſs that the Word hath upon ſome, that it ſets them but a cavilling at what is delivered. And thus the Goſpel is the favour of life to ſome, and the ſavour of death to others. Now the carnal and unbelieving Hearers take occaſion unjuſtly to cavil at Chriſt, from thoſe laſt words which he ſpake to his complying Hearers in the Text, ſhall make you free. As if they ſhould ſay, Why then, pray what do you make of us? We perceive, that you count us Slaves, or Bond people. Your Diſciples and Followers ſhall be taken out of the company of ſuch as are in thraldom: why then be-like we are no Freemen. Here they thought they had a great advantage againſt Chriſt; ſee v. 33. They anſwered him, We be Abrahams ſeed, and were never in bondage to any man: How ſayeſt thou, Ye ſhall be made free? This that they ſaid was not true in the letter and as to the outward bondage (that they had never been in bondage to any man): for had they not been in bondage in Egypt? and in bondage in Babylon? And they were at this preſent under Tribute and ſubjection to the Romans. Note, that a cavilling Spirit is a lying Spirit too: They that are given to the one ſin, are given alſo to the other. But Chriſt did not mean this in the letter, or of any outward bondage; but of bondage by ſin that they were in. And ſo v. 34. he doth explain himſelf; Whoſoever committeth ſin, is the ſervant of ſin, i. e. is in bondage to it; and ſo will find himſelf to be at laſt, v. 35. when he ſhall ſee that he muſt not abide any longer among the Children and Sons of God; but ſhall be ſent away as the Servant, or he that is bound to his Maſter, is afterwards ſent out of the houſe, while thoſe that are the ſons, and Free ones, are kept in, as thoſe that have a Right, and a Priviledg to ſtay, as I that am Gods natural Son do, and ſhall abide for ever in my Father's houſe, together with all his adopted Children who believe on me.
This 36th Verſe, to which I am now come, is Chriſt's drawing a concluſion from all this, applying this that he had been ſpeaking about Bondage and Freedom, to their caſe, that they, if they had had Grace, might have made a ſaving uſe of it for their own everlaſting good. If the Son therefore ſhall make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed: i. e. If I, who am the Son of God, and therefore am free, and can give freedom to others, if I make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed. Wherein you have,
1. The name by which Jeſus Chriſt calls himſelf, the Son of. God; or, as 'tis in the Greek, that Son; that is ſuch a Son, as none is: for tho all the Saints are Sons, yet none of them is ſuch a Son as Chriſt is. He hath in all things the pre-eminence. I cannot now ſtand upon this, how far this Son goes beyond all the other Sons of God, 1. In reſpect of the manner of his being the Son of God, by an unconceivable, eternal Generation. The Saints are the Sons of God by Faith, and by Grace, and by Adoption; but Chriſt by Nature. 'Tis the natural Priviledg of Chriſt, to be the Son of God; whereas we by nature were the Children of Wrath. 2. In reſpect of his whole carriage towards his Father. He never grieved, or diſpleaſed, or diſobeyed his Father, v. 29th of this 8th of John, I do always thoſe things that pleaſe him. But there are many wry treadings that the other Sons have cauſe to mourn for in their beſt walkings. In many things we offend all. There's no child of God upon earth ſo good a traveller to Heaven, but that he ſometimes ſtumbles and falls, tho through Grace he riſes again by Repentance. You have that deſcription of a true child of God, whereby he is differenced from the wicked, tho he hath his ſins and failings too, Jer. 8. 4. 3. In reſpect of his equality with his Father, according to his divine nature. He is ſo the Son of God, as that he is God equal to him, Phil. 2. 6. The Saints are the children of God, and partakers, by Faith, of the Divine Nature; but yet there is an infinite diſtance between God and them: they are Creatures ſtill, tho they be renewed: Tho they are united to God, yet they are not changed into God: But this Son is as holy, as glorious, as great as his Father.
2. You have here what this Son can do for poor ſinful men: And that is, he can make them free, ſet them at perfect liberty, knock off all their chains and bolts wherewith they are bound and fettered. If the Son ſhall make you free: i. e. I can do it, if you will but be willing.
3. The nature of this Freedom that he can give to poor ſinners: i. e. Freedom indeed; ye ſhall be free indeed; or as the Greek word is, you ſhall have a Freedom that is real: that is, a ſubſtantial Freedom; foreign; it ſhall not be an imaginary thing, as that which you now think you have; but it ſhall be a Freedom that hath Truth and Being in it, to go as near as I can to the Original Language. Well, now the point is this, That,
Doct. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt doth offer a most excellent Freedom to ſinners that are in Bondage; and that 'tis every ones duty to look after his particular ſhare in it.
The Branches of this Point are Five in number, all of them clearly ariſing from this Text, as you may eaſily ſee.
The 1. Branch, for order ſake, as to my handling of it, is, That ſinners are in Bondage. For to be made free, doth ſuppoſe that ſinners are not free. Chriſt ſpeaks to them, as perſons that were not yet free. If the Son therefore ſhall make you free: i. e. yet you are not made free, for you commit ſin; and whoſoever commits ſin, is the ſervant of ſin.
2. Branch, That Jeſus Chriſt doth offer Freedom to poor ſinners that are in the houſe of Bondage. If the Son ſhall make you free. You ſee he ſpeaks as one that offers it.
3. That it is every ones duty to look after this Freedom, that they be in the number of thoſe that are brought into liberty: And that is in theſe words, [you free]. You and you ſhould labour to obtain it.
4. That this Freedom comes by Chriſt. 'Tis Chriſt that gives it: Whoever is made free, is made free by Chriſt.—If the Son ſhall make, &c.
5. That the Freedom which Chriſt offers to ſinners, and gives to believers, is a moſt excellent Freedom. If the Son therefore ſhall make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed. As no Bondage is like that Bondage, ſo no Freedom is like this Freedom. Of theſe Five Branches of the Doctrine, I intend, God willing, to ſpeak in their order.
The firſt Branch of the Doctrine is this, Tbat ſinners are in Bondage.
I ſhall labour to open this Bondage to you in ſome Particulars.
1. 'Tis a real Bondage; 'tis as ſure as any thing in the World, that ſinners are in Bondage. 'Tis as true as the Word of God it ſelf is true: For the Word of God tells us ſo. As the liberty that Believers have by Chriſt, is a Freedom indeed; ſo the Bondage that ſinners are in, is a Bondage indeed. Mark how Peter ſpeaks to Simon Magus, who was one of theſe ſinners, Acts 8. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterneſs, and the bond of iniquity. q. d. It may be thou doſt not think, that thou art there; but there thou art. Now that this Bondage is a real thing, appears by Two things, to name no more:
1. By the deſcription that the Scripture gives of the ſtate of ſinners. Look into them, and you ſhall ſee, that they are ſaid to be Captives, 2 Tim. 2. 26. to be in Priſon, Iſa 42. 7. to be under the power of darkneſs, Col. 1. 13. to lie in wickedneſs, 1 John 5. 19. to be all their life-time ſubject to bondage, Heb. 2. 15.
2. By the wonderful awakened ſenſe that thoſe ſinners have of their condition, to whom it pleaſes God to ſhew mercy. Oh how ſenſible they are! and what a World of danger do they apprehend themſelves to be in, and what haſte do they make to get out of it, as a man that ſees he ſtands upon a ſinking ground, that if he does not get off preſently, 'twill ſwallow him up. It ſets them all on a trembling, to ſee where they are, Acts 16. 29, 30. Now why have they ſuch real deep apprehenſions of their condition? Why, ſurely becauſe they ſee 'tis a real Bondage.
2. This Bondage is a natural Bondage; a ſlavery that we have by nature, which is contracted by the Fall of our firſt Parents. We were born in bondage: The Fall of Adam was the beginning of this Bondage: there he, and we in him, loſt our Freedom, viz. that holy image of God in which he made us. Pray labour to lay this Fall to heart more: for here was the inlet to all our miſery. Many are apt to think of the Fall of Adam and Eve, as if there were little or nothing that concerned them in it: Whereas, alas! in that very ſin, all our Freedom went away, unleſs it were a freedom to ſin; that ſtaid with us ſtill. And, Beloved, let me tell you, you are not throughly humbled for ſin, if you be not humbled for this Original Sin, this Bondage by nature, Pſal. 51. 5.
3. 'Tis an univerſal Bondage, that includes all that are out of Chriſt, over the whole World. Not one unconverted ſinner is a Freeman. Now Beloved, if any of you ſhould go into a very large Priſon, that hath a great many Rooms in it, and Holes, and Dungeons; and wherever you go, you ſhould ſee all over, the Priſon full, and ſome of them ſeem to be men of good faſhion, and yet notwithſtanding Priſoners too; why, when you go out, you would be ready to tell the next body you were acquainted with, If you had been where I have, you would wonder to ſee what abundance of Priſoners there be: The Houſe was even ſtopt with Priſoners; and you would have wondered to ſee what brave proper perſons ſome of them were; and how ſome went in ſuch Cloaths, that one would not have thought that they had been Priſoners, and yet they were Priſoners too. Methinks the World is much like this: The World hath a great many wide Rooms, and Holes, and Corners: There's ſuch a Houſe, and it may be a great many live in that; but then there's ſuch a Town, or Pariſh, and many more live in that; but then there's ſuch a Shire, or County, and many more live in that; but then there is ſuch a Nation, or Kingdom, and many more live in that; but then there's the whole World, and many more live in that; and generally up and down, the moſt of theſe are Priſoners upon a Spiritual account; and how richly are ſome of theſe cloathed, and how deliciouſly do they live in the World! and yet many of them Priſoners too, walking Priſoners, laughing Priſoners, learned Priſoners. In a word, we were all Priſoners by nature; and all that are out of Chriſt are ſo ſtill. 'Tis an univerſal Bondage, reaching to every one of them, Gal. 3. 22.—all under ſin.
4. This Bondage is a cruel Bondage. We read in Scripture of cruel Bondages, as that of the Children of Iſrael in Egypt, and in Babylon, where they were in the Iron Furnace; and yet theſe were but a ſhadow of this. Theſe things that I ſhall now name, you'l ſay your ſelves, will make a very cruel Bondage, and all of them are in a Sinner's Bondage, above any Bondage that is. For I would ſtay a little upon this.
1. To be ſet to the baſeſt work; to be made a very drudg of, that there is not the mo… naſty ſtinking Imployment that is, but that ſhall be cut out for one. The hard Bondage of the Children of Iſrael, is ſet out by this, that they were made to work in Mortar, and in Brick, &c. Exod. 1. 14. baſe dawbing work, that they could never keep themſelves clean. Thus 'tis with ſinners: What doth the Devil imploy them about? Why, they have ſuch filthy work, that they are called filthy perſons, unclean perſons. In this John 8. 44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the luſts of your father ye will do. Their work is to do the Devils luſts; whatever comes into his filthy mind, that they muſt go upon; or whatever filthineſs he ſuggeſts to their minds, they muſt do it: yea, and they will do it, ſays Chriſt. He hath ſuch a power in them, and ſuch a conqueſt over them, that he hath brought their very Wills into obedience. They will do what the Devil will have them do: therefore 2 Tim. 2. 26. they are ſaid to be taken captive at his will.
2. To have ſuch a Maſter as hates one The cruel Bondage of the Children of Iſrael. is ſet out by this, Pſal. 106. 41. Thus 'tis with ſinners, they ſerve the Devil, and they work as hard as they can, (ſee Jer. 3. 5. Micah 7. 3.) and yet he hates them: While they do his work, he ſeeks their ruin; while they are ſerving of him, he is ſlaying of them: For do what you will, or can for the Devil, you can never make him your friend. He is, and he will be an enemy to all Mankind. He won't do that which the World does: the World will love its own, but the Devil won't love his own.
3. To have many Maſters at once. But you will ſay, Chriſt himſelf ſays, that no man can ſerve two Maſters. Anſ. No, he cannot, if they be contrary one to another: So you are to underſtand that place, Mat. 6. 24. but if they be ſubordinate one to another, he may; and a ſinner doth; he ſerves many Maſters at once; he ſerves the Devil, and that while he ſerves the World; and the Creature, that he worſhips; and he ſerves divers Luſts and Pleaſures, Tit. 2. 3. he is hurried to ſuch a ſin, and ſuch a ſin. The Devil he is tempting, and the World that is alluring, and the Fleſh that's craving, and Luſt that's raging, and all at one and the ſame time. What a cruel Bondage is this!
4. To be allowed no Reſt. Get you unto your burdens, ſaid Pharaoh, in that Bondage in Egypt; ſee Exod. 5. 4, 5. He could not endure that they ſhould have any reſt. So the Devil allows no reſt; he is a reſtleſs Spirit himſelf; he is deſcribed as one always at work, Job 1. 7. He comes from going to and fro in the earth; and walking up and down in it. And after this, he goes and does a great deal of miſchief preſently by Gods permiſſion: He ſtirs up the Sabeans to plunder Job of Five Hundred Yoke of Oxen, and Five hundred She-Aſſes, and to ſlay the Servants that were with them, all but one, v. 14, 15. And then he was permitted to burn up Seven thouſand Sheep, and the Servants with them, all but one, v. 16. And then he got the Chaldeans to come and carry away Three thouſand Camels, and kill the Servants with them, all but one, v. 17. And yet he cannot reſt. Then he gets the Houſe to fall upon Job's Children, and killed them, v. 19. Now one would have thought when he had done all this miſchief, and eſpecially to one man, he ſhould have been quiet; but he is at work ſtill otherwhere, after all this, cap. 2. 2. Going to and fro in the earth, &c. and now he comes again, to beg that he may do more miſchief to Job yet; and ſo he does, when God had given him leave, v. 7. he ſmote Job with ſore boils, from the ſole of his foot unto his Crown. Now I ſay, he is a reſtleſs Spirit himſelf, always doing miſchief: and ſo he deſires that all that ſerve him ſhould be always at his work too. 'Tis an expreſſion concerning thoſe that are the Devils Slaves, that they cannot rest, Iſa. 57. 20. He makes them work in their very Beds, Micah 2. 1. What a cruel Bondage is this!
5. To be paid for all ones drudging in nothing but counterfeit Coyn. Now all that the Devil gives his Servants, is but Braſs money. If it looks well, 'tis but waſht over: not any of it hath Gods Image or Superſcription upon it. 'Tis not like the wages God gives his Servants: 'tis all droſs within. They have pleaſure, but 'tis counterfeit pleaſure: They have peace, but 'tis counterfeit peace: They have hope, but 'tis counterfeit hope, 2 Cor. 11. 3. The Serpent beguiled Eve—He paid her all in counterfeit Coin. The beſt wages that the Devil gives for his work, is but deceit, Rev. 12. 9. He is ſaid to deceive the World, and the whole World. There is not one that works for him, that is not deceived by him. What a cruel Bondage is this, to be working ſo hard, and to be put off with a cheat!
But yet further, there are two things more, that make this Bondage to be more cruel than any other Bondage: And they are,
1. That tho the Devil's Servants do their Taſks, yet they ſhall be beaten. You read of that cruel Bondage in Egypt, That when they did not do their Tasks, they were beaten, Exod. 5. 14. but here they are beaten tho they do them. 'Tis a fruit and effect of the Devils Service, that the more one ſerves him, the more one is beaten, the more laſhes, and the more ſtings of Conſcience one ſhall have. To ſerve the Devil, 'tis the way to be beaten black and blew; ſee Mat. 27. 3, 4, 5. Judas had done his work the Devil ſet him about; he had done out his Task: and then is the time that Judas muſt be beaten: Then Conſcience fell upon him, ſo that he hangs himſelf.
2. This alſo makes this Bondage more cruel than any other Bondage, that in this Bondage the Souls of ſinners are in Bondage. Other Bondages are upon the Body, and the outward Man; but this is upon the Soul chiefly. Indeed the Members of the Body are under this Bondage too. The eye, that is an Inſtrument of ſin, and the ear that's another, and the tongue, and the hands, and the feet, and all the Members are imployed about evil, Rom. 6. 19. But above all, the Soul, and the Faculties of that, are in this ſpiritual thraldom. The Ʋnderſtanding, bondage is upon that, by reaſon of darkneſs, and ignorance: the Will, bondage is upon that, by reaſon of that ſtubbornneſs and diſobedience that is in ſinners againſt God: the Affections, Bondage is upon them, by reaſon of their diſorder: the Mind and Heart, Bondage is upon them, by reaſon of their being defiled, and hardened: the Conſcience, bondage is upon that, by reaſon of its ſearedneſs. So that the very Seat and Throne of the Devil is within them, 2 Cor. 4. 4. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, &c. The Bondage is within them. Eph. 2. 2. He worketh in the children of diſobedience. Now what a cruel Bondage is this, to have the precious Soul in the hand of the Devil, to be a Slave inwardly to all unrighteouſneſs! This is the Fourth thing in the Deſcription of this Bondage. 'Tis a cruel Bondage that ſinners are in. And then
5. As 'tis a cruel Bondage, ſo 'tis a curſed Bondage: The wrath and curſe of God belongs to this Condition. When the Children of Iſrael were in their cruel Bondage in Egypt, yet notwithſtanding they were beloved of God. The Scripture ſays, That God had reſpect to them, Exod. 2. 25. He caſt an affectionate look upon them. But he hath annexed his high diſpleaſure, and threatned his vengeance againſt all that ſhall abide in this Bondage. He threatens to caſt them off for ever. This you have implied in that Gal. 4. 30. out with them: A little while hence (if they don't now get their Freedom) God will ſend them to their own place: from their Priſon of Sin, to the Priſon of Hell. And therefore amongſt other parts of their Bondage, they are ſaid to be in Bondage to the Law; or to be under the Law; which becauſe they have broken, and have no ſurety to ſtand up for them, denounceth all its Plagues, and all its Curſes againſt them, let them live never ſo much in the outward Righteouſneſs of the Law, Gal. 3. 10. As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curſe.
6. Yet tho this is a cruel and a curſed bondage that ſinners are in, it is not a bondage without hope. We don't know what a merciful purpoſe the Lord may have concerning ſome of you that are yet ſhut up in this houſe of bondage: whether he may not deal with you as he did with Iſrael. Pray read that precious place, Exod. 6. 5, to 9. I (ſaith God to Moſes) have heard the groaning of the children of Iſrael, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembred my covenant. Wherefore ſay unto the children of Iſrael, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage: and I will redeem you with a ſtretched-out arm, and with great judgments. And I will take you to me for a people. and I will be to you a God: and ye ſhall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land concerning the which I did ſwear to give it to Abraham, to Iſaac, and to Jacob, and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord. If it may but be thus with you now! why, who can tell? There is a way of deliverance out of this bondage, if you will but hearken after it; as I ſhall ſhew upon the ſecond branch of this Doctrine, That Jeſus Chriſt doth offer Freedom to poor ſinners that are in the houſe of bondage. But before I come to that, I will make a little Application of this, That ſinners are in bondage.
Ʋſe 1. And are they ſo? Then 1. This may ſerve to caſt an everlaſting contempt and reproach upon all the ways of ſin, in that it brings into and keeps all that walk in them, in bondage. Oh what a thing is ſin now! What do you think of ſin, Sirs, upon this account? Is not this an Enemy that you ſhould all riſe up againſt, and never be quiet till you have got it rooted up out of your hearts? Is this a thing to be loved and pleaded for, and to be let alone as if there were no hurt in it? Oh! now methinks I might hope that there is none of you that would ſpeak one word on ſins ſide. Why, behold what it hath done: It hath brought the whole World into ſlavery. As ſoon as ever we began to have any thing to do with it, it took us Priſoners. It made our firſt Father, and all his Children miſerable creatures. It ſet up the Kingdom of the Devil in every one of us. Yea, beloved, there is not a ſin that any of you commit, but would undo you to all eternity, if infinite mercy do not come between you and the miſchief that would follow upon it. I cannot expreſs the evil that is in ſin to you. 'Tis a thing of a dreadful nature, and of dreadful effects. As for the nature of it, 'tis the tranſgreſſion of the holy Law of God; 'tis oppoſition to his Will; 'tis emnity againſt his bleſſed and holy Majeſty; 'tis that which doth, as it were, rend his ſacred Image all to pieces. As for the effects of it, it ſeparates God and man from one another; it robs him of likeneſs to him, and communion with him; it hardens his heart againſt all that is good, and inclines him to all manner of diſobedience; 'tis that which fills the World with ſorrow, and is the cauſe of all miſeries in this life, and that which is to come. Oh that I could tell how to bring you out of love with ſin. Why, Sirs, if God ſhould deal with you according to the deſert of one ſin, you would never live a comfortable day. I cannot part with this Ʋſe, but I muſt endeavour a little to leave an everlaſting brand of reproach upon a ſinful life; and therefore conſider Four things of which it is made up; viz.
1. Innumerable Wickedneſſes.
2. Abominable Filthineſs.
3. Lamentable Deceitfulneſs.
4. Ʋnſpeakable Wretchedneſs.
1. Innumerable Wickedneſſes. A ſinful life is a Sea of ſin. As abundance of waters do meet in the Sea, ſo abundance of wickedneſs doth meet in a ſinful life. 'Tis a life to which all manner of ſins flow: Adultery, Blaſphemy, Covetouſneſs, Drunkenneſs, Envy, Falſe dealing, Gluttony, Hypocriſie, Idleneſs, Lying, Murder, Pride, Quarrelling, Railing, Swearing, Theft, Uncleanneſs, Witchcraft, &c. Amos 5. 12. I know, ſaith God, your manifold tranſgreſſions. 'Tis not to be reckoned up what Volumes of wickedneſs one unſanctified heart is full of. Oh what hath every Chriſtleſs Soul to give account for, when as all the Faculties of the Soul, and all the Members of the Body, are ſinning, and ſinning, and ſinning againſt God continually? And yet as many as they are, God keeps an account of them every one. I know them, ſaith he. They are forgotten by them that commit them, but they are remembred by him that forbids them. Hoſ. 7. 2. They conſider not in their hearts, that I remember all their wickedneſs. Mark, he remembers all; and, without repentance, he will make you to remember them again, tho now you have forgotten them; Pſal. 50. 21. he will ſet them in order before your eyes.
2. A ſinful life hath in it Abominable Filthineſs, Pſal. 14. 3. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaking of the children of men, with reſpect to their ſinfulneſs, ſays of them, that they are altogether become filthy. They that live in their ſins, are a polluted people. Hence the Scripture ſays they are defiled; that the wicked is loathſome. It compares them to Ethiopians, or Blackmores. They are ſo filthy, that God charges all his people to come out from among them, and be ſeparate, and touch none of their unclean things. Their ſins make them deformed creatures in the ſight of God and good men. A ſinner is ſo filthy, that till he be waſhed, he is fit for no Company but his own, and the Devil's. God won't let him come near him, Pſal. 119. 119. Thou putteſt away all the wicked of the earth like droſs. Gods people don't care to be familiar with them, v. 115. Depart from me ye evil doers. And yet this is not Pride in them, but 'tis their duty to keep at a diſtance from the wicked in their ſins, Eph. 5. 11. to have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs.
3. There is in it Lamentable Deceitfulneſs. Says the Apoſtle, We our ſelves were ſometimes fooliſh, diſobedient, deceived, &c. Tit. 3. 3. The luſts to which they give up themſelves, are called deceitful Luſts, Eph. 4. 22. and Heb. 3. 13. there is expreſs mention made of the deceitfulneſs of ſin: Exhort one another daily (ſays the Apoſtle), leſt any of you be hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin. There are many that are wiſe to ſin, but yet they are not wiſe enough to avoid the deceits and ſnares that are in ſin. While they nibble at the Bait, they don't ſee the Hook. When the Devil comes to tempt us to ſin, he comes with his wiles and devices; he plays the Serpent, and the old Serpent: he will tell a man, that that which is a ſin, is no ſin; and ſo make him believe he is ſerving God, when he is ſinning againſt him. Our Saviour foretells his Diſciples, that the time comes, that whoſo kills them, ſhall think that he doth God good ſervice, Joh. 16. 2. Accordingly the Apoſtle Paul profeſſeth, Acts 26. 9. That he verily thought with himſelf, that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jeſus of Nazareth. He will tell a man, that he may do ſuch and ſuch a thing, for none ſees him; and the poor deluded ſinner thinks that he is hid, becauſe he ſins in ſecret, or in the dark; whereas the eyes of the Lord are upon the ways of man, and he pondereth all his goings, Prov. 5. 21. He will tell a ſinner, that there's time enough to repent, when he may die the next hour. He will tell a ſinner, that God is merciful, of purpoſe that he may miſs of mercy. He will promiſe pleaſure, when 'twill end in pain; and peace, when 'twill end in trouble; and profit, when 'twill end in the loſs of the Soul. He will tell us, that we are juſtified, when we are not ſanctified; and that we are real Saints, becauſe others count us ſo; that our Gifts are Graces, and that we have communion with God in Duties, becauſe we have good Expreſſions in our mouths. Oh, Sirs! take heed to your Souls: watch againſt all the deluſions of your ſpiritual Enemies. There are Four great Deceivers that you are in great danger by: 1. a deceitful Devil. 2. Deceitful Sin. 3. A deceitful World. 4. Your own deceitful Hearts.
4. There is alſo in a ſinful life Ʋnſpeakable Wretchedneſs, Rom. 3. 16. Deſtruction and miſery are in their ways. Sin makes one more wretched than any affliction, or any ſuffering in the World can do. Look into that Eph. 2. 12. and tell me if a ſinner is not a wretched creature, Ye were without Chriſt, being aliens from the Common wealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers from the covenants of promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the world. Mark, without Christ. There's enough, if there were no more. To be out of Chriſt! why, 'tis to be amongſt them that are loſt, among them that are unpardoned, among them that are unſanctified. Aliens from the common-wealth of Iſrael; to wit, from them that God owns. Strangers from the covenants of promiſe. Is not that a woful thing, to have none of the promiſes, and all of the threatnings of the Word belonging to one? Having no hope. Is not that a ſad condition to have no hope?
Object. But wicked men are full of hopes.
Anſ. But alas! what hope is it? No true hope, upon no good ground. They call it hope, but God calls it no hope.—without God in the world! what a wretched condition is that, that whatever they have, they have not God in it? God out of any thing is a miſery; God out of the Creature, God out of Affliction, God out of Ordinances. And after all this wretchedneſs, to be wretched for ever, to ſuffer the torments of Hell World without end, without a change of our condition, Pſal 9. 17. All this conſider'd, is not ſin, and all the ways, and all the works of ſin, worthy of everlaſting contempt and hatred?
Ʋſe 2. But more particularly to you that are in this bondage, I muſt tell you, That this bondage of yours is an unexcuſable bondage. Perhaps you may think now, that this will leſſen your guilt: Why, how can I be good? or how can I ſerve God? or how can I leave my ſins? why, I am a perſon in bondage; and what freedom hath one that is in a Priſon?
Anſ. I anſwer, This were ſomething, if it were againſt your wills; but you are willingly in this bondage. You are like that ſervant, Exod. 21. 5. I love my Maſter—I will not go out free. Do you remember what Chriſt ſays? John 5. 40. you will not come unto me that you might have life. Now conſider but Three things, and you muſt needs ſay this is a willing bondage, and therefore inexcuſable. For, 1. You have ſold your ſelves into this condition, as thoſe a Kings 17. 17. ſold themſelves to do evil in the ſight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. Pray how came you into this bondage? Is it not your own doing? You were not made thus by God. He may ſay as 'tis in Jer. 2. 21. I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right ſeed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a ſtrange vine? Our corruption is from our ſelves, and our deſtruction is from our ſelves. By nature we yield up our Members, as inſtruments of unrighteouſneſs That's the Scripture Expreſſion. 'Tis our own voluntary act. 'Twas not poſſible that Mankind could ever have come into ſuch thraldom, had they not given up their conſent, and joyned with Satan againſt God.
2. 'Tis a willing bondage, if we conſider the cheap and low terms upon which all this is done. Sinners did not ſtand out to have any great rewards in conſideration of their woful ſlavery; but the Devil gets them to be his Servants at an eaſie rate. I don't mean in reſpect of themſelves; for 'twill be a dear bondage to them, without mercy from the Lord; but in reſpect of what Satan does for them: In lieu of all that they do for him, alas! he feeds them with a few painted pleaſures, that carry more ſtings than ſweetneſs in them for the preſent, and that will be turned all into bitterneſs in the latter end, Job 20. 12, 13, 14. 'Tis a brand that is laid upon prophane Eſau, that for one morſel of meat he ſold his birth-right, Heb. 12. 16. So what have ſinners for their Souls? What have they for all their wearying themſelves with the fulfilling of their luſts, but a wickedlife, and a wretched death? See Iſa. 52. 3. Ye have ſold your ſelves for nought.
3. 'Tis a willing bondage, becauſe you do not groan under it. You are contented with your Chains, and you are contented with your Priſon. Where be your prayers? and where be your tears? and where be your cries to God, that you may be delivered? If it were thus with you, you would ſhew that you were unwillingly where you are: and this would be the way to be delivered, as it was with the children of Iſrael in their bondage in Egypt, Exod. 2. 23, 24, 25. But you ſit ſtill.
Ʋſe 3. Something to you that God hath brought out of this bondage, and then I have done with this Branch. Three things I leave with you, as your duty.
1. Pity poor ſinners that are in this bondage. Can you look upon them, or think of their condition, without compaſſion? Here be Objects of pity, if there be any in the World! Here's matter of prayer for you, to ſpeak to God on the behalf of theſe poor wretched creatures. Here's matter for your larger hope to work upon. Oh Friends! if you ſaw one of the ſaddeſt creatures that ever your eyes beheld, for worldly diſtreſs, you would beſtow ſome pity and ſome help there. But oh, the pity and the help, and the bowels that theſe do need, whoſe ſouls are in the bondage of ſin! I beſeech you, don't ſee men and women live without the fear of God; and ſuch multitudes of ſinners flocking and poſting to everlaſting perdition, as there be, and yet not be affected with their caſe. What Paul ſays in another ſenſe to the Coloſſians, cap. 4. 18. Remember my bonds. I ſay to you, Remember ſinners bonds. Prayer may do that in this caſe, which is like to Acts 12. 5, 6, 7.
2. Be thankful for your own deliverance. Oh what cauſe have you to praiſe God for his great mercy to your ſouls! Time was, that you were in bondage, as they are; were the Servants of ſin as they are, and yet you have been graciouſly viſited, and by a mighty hand, and a ſtretched-out arm God hath brought you out of this houſe of bondage: he hath taken off the yoke of your ſpiritual captivity, that now you can ſay, as in Gal. 4. 31. We are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. Well now, what high admiring thoughts ſhould you have of this Grace that is beſtowed upon you through Jeſus Chriſt! Let me commend that Scripture to you: it fits your caſe exceedingly, Pſal. 106. 1, 2. then verſe 10. to 17.
3. Love, and live to your Redeemer: Abide ſtedfaſt with Chriſt in your Liberty, Gal. 5. 1. Stand fact in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. You know when God had delivered his people out of Egypt, Pharoah and all his Hoſt went after them, if it were poſſible, to bring them back again: So the Devil, he follows redeemed ſouls to have them again if he could. Oh, how he tempts them to get them back! And if that won't do (as it ſhall not with Gods Elect) yet he does what he can to make them live as if they were not delivered, as if they were not purged from their old ſins. Oh take heed of this! I tell you, Chriſt expects now, that you ſhould do his ſervice, as before you did the ſervice of ſin. And as the ſerving of ſin is an Evidence of being in that bondage; So 'tis only the ſerving of Chriſt that will be an Evidence that you are come to this Freedom. I conclude with that 1 Cor. 6. laſt words of ver. 19. and the 20th verſe, Ye are not your own: For ye are bought with a price: Therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your ſpirit, which are Gods, and ſhew by your walking, that you dont forget this mercy, and that you dont make light of it. Deut. 15. 15. Thou ſhalt remember that thou waſt a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command this thing to day, All God's commands to you, are grounded upon his redeeming-kindneſs. Becauſe you are redeemed, be obedient, and watch againſt being defiled by new ſins.